A Large Boro Zokin: Eccentric Mending

mid twentieth century
13" x 16 1/2", 33 cm x 42 cm

A zokin is a traditional Japanese dust cloth or cleaning rag; it is usually made from old pieces of cloth and it is usually layered and stitched for durability.

Along with diapers, zokin are among the traditional household textiles that represent the end of the line where the repurposing or recycling of cloth is concerned.

This large, boro zokin is a few layers thick. The cotton which composes the cloth is beautifully worn and abraded, and as an added bonus there is a beautiful area of mending shown on the accompanying detail photos.

A beautiful zokin.